Commissioner Karen Webb, ex-Police Minister defend luxury car function during floods

While rank-and-file officers risked their lives in flood rescues, Karen Webb posed for pictures at a fundraising luxury car dealership where her husband works — and says she has no regrets about it.

Former Police Minister David Elliott has gone in to bat for NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, declaring she has “nothing to apologise for” over attending a glitzy lunch during the devastating floods this week.

Comm Webb has come under fire for attending an International Women’s Day event at Sydney’s exclusive Maserati dealership- which is linked to her husband- on the same day officers were on the ground helping NSW communities weather the torrential rain and flash flooding.

Mr Elliott, who now holds the Transport portfolio, dismissed all criticism of Comm Webb on 2GB this morning for attending the event, which was a fundraiser for the force’s charity Police Legacy and PCYC.

He said he would defend the newly-minted top cop “any day” and that she was capable of attending the event and managing the flood response at the same time.

“I don’t think she’s got anything to apologise for it’s Police Legacy, these are the kids of people who have died serving our state,” Mr Elliott said.

“I’ve known Commissioner Karen Webb for more than 20 years, I’ll back her work ethic any day...she’s the sort of woman who can chew gum and walk at the same time. I bet if you check her phone records for the entire time, she would have been working.”

He added: “There’s no doubt in my mind... I’m quite happy to defend Comm Webb, she’s got a great work ethic and I know that for a fact.”

It comes as Commissioner Webb declared she does not regret attending her husband’s luxury car dealership for the International Women’s Day lunch during NSW’s devastating floods.

Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Comm Webb hit back at critics, claiming she did “not regret for one minute” attending the function because it was a Police Legacy charity event.

Comm Webb claimed she had been busy fielding calls about the flood emergency “the whole time” she was at the glitzy lunch.

“International Women’s Day happens once a year, I think it’s important as Commissioner of Police that I show some leadership in terms of the messaging to young women,” Comm Webb said.

“I don’t regret (the lunch) for one minute because caring for the police family is important ... I’ve been on the phone 24/7 for the floods and making sure we’ve got police resources where we need them, it wasn’t an event I went to and did nothing else.

“I was on point for police the whole time.”

Commissioner Webb said she could “imagine” flood-stricken residents’ reaction to her attending the function, but it was a “coincidence” the horror weather had happened the same day as the fundraiser.

She claimed she would have been condemned whether she attended or not.

“It’s one small thing I’ve done in a big week of visiting flooded areas ... I can’t account for the weather on that particular day, it had been organised in advance. It would’ve been a poor showing and I would’ve been criticised if I didn’t turn up,” Comm Webb said.

She added: “You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

Comm Webb also confirmed her husband Marc was an employee of the dealership where the IWD function was held.

“He’s been a support of the police for many years and supported me in my endeavours, which is nice,” she said.

POLICE COMMISSIONER HITS WRONG GEAR

While her rank-and-file officers risked their lives and pulled bodies from raging torrents on Tuesday, newly appointed police commissioner Karen Webb managed to find time in her busy schedule to pose for snaps at a luxury car dealership.

Ms Webb attended an International Women’s Day event at Sydney’s exclusive Maserati dealership which is linked to her husband.

She was photographed on social media smiling as she stood in front of the blue bonnet of one of the $400,000 opulent cars.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb with Kate Peck at an International Women’s Day lunch held at a Sydney Maserati showroom on Tuesday. Picture: Instagram

She had earlier visited a private girls’ school. Neither of the events were promoted by NSW Police media.

The event raised money for Police Legacy and the invitation came through Ms Webb’s husband’s contacts.

The new commissioner, who has yet to front a media conference since being sworn in to the top job on February 1, had visited Burwood girls’ school MLC, which charges up to $42,575 a year.

She was the star speaker at the high-end event at Maserati’s Alexandria headquarters with a photo posted on social media about 6.30pm by TV presenter and model Kate Peck.

NSW Police officers find the bodies of a man and woman who went missing in flood waters at Wentworthville on Tuesday. Picture: 7 News

NSW Police officers find the bodies of a man and woman who went missing in flood waters at Wentworthville on Tuesday. Picture: 7 News

On Wednesday night, a spokesman for Ms Webb said she had celebrated International Womens’ Day by attending several events across the week “in line with her focus on rebuilding connections for NSW Police with a broad spectrum of the NSW community’’.

The spokesman added Ms Webb’s “keynote address’’ at the Maserati function was on the topic of “breaking the bias’’.

“The event raised $36k for Police Legacy, and the (PCYC), two charity organisations close to Commissioner Webb’s heart,’’ the spokesman said.

“In the past seven days Commissioner Webb has attended the Northern Rivers Region twice and the Windsor/Nepean area relating to the flood response. (Ms Webb) is so proud of the efforts of all NSWPF officers who day after day go above and beyond to protect their communities.’’

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb with MLC school students at Burwood on Tuesday. Picture: Instagram

In a post about her appearance at the Maserati function, Ms Peck wrote: “Meet the first ever female NSW POLICE COMMISSIONER. You don’t get more BOSS than that. Karen Webb, a true honour to interview you for International Women’s Day with @maseratiau @maseratisydney. May the force be with you because women world wide are.”

Talent manager Marina Paul also shared images from the event on social media.

“Meeting her & listening to what it takes to get the top cop job & what her plans are was so insightful & inspiring," Ms Paul wrote on Instagram.

"Absolute respect to you Karen!"

At 8.30am on Tuesday, Police Rescue and the SES pulled the bodies of Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham and son Bramooth from Coopers Creek Canal at Wentworthville as the death toll from the NSW floods late Wednesday reached eight.

Ms Webb’s husband Marc Webb works in the luxury car market and in 2016 loaned a $560,000 McLaren 650S Spider and a Bentley Continental GT dressed in police livery to the force as part of a community engagement program.